MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini has been advised to ditch maverick striker Mario Balotelli – or risk losing his own job.

Influential members of the Etihad hierarchy have become increasingly embarrassed with Balotelli’s behaviour and their manager’s reluctance to act when the striker steps out of line.

They believe the image of the club is being tarnished by the mood swings of Balotelli, 22 (above).

They believe the image of the club is being tarnished by the mood swings of Balotelli, 22 (above)

If Mancini continues to dig his heels in over the troublesome striker – who he dropped from the squad as City won 3-1 at Newcastle yesterday – and City fall behind in the title race, then his job could be in jeopardy.